The best football teams in the area — covered by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News and Whittier Daily News — are ranked in the preseason Top 10. The countdown will conclude with the top team unveiled on Aug. 13.

No. 6 Charter Oak

2021 record: Finished 5-6 overall; 0-3 in Mountain West League; lost in first round of CIF-SS playoffs

Strengths: The Chargers landed one of the area’s best quarterbacks with senior Richie Munoz transferring from La Salle after three straight decorated seasons with the Lancers. As a junior, Munoz threw for 2,138 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he never had a team of receivers and athletes around him like he does now. He showed a glimpse of what’s possible during several dominating spring and summer passing league performances. Munoz is part of a rebuilt core to go with several strong returning players and a revamped coaching staff. Former NFL star LaVar Arrington has taken over as defensive coordinator, and his son LaVar Arrington Jr., a sophomore, is expected to make a strong impact. Senior running back Zakkarii Black has an offer from Penn State. The shifty back is a major key to unlock the Chargers’ diversified offense. Senior WR/DB Solomon Davis, a University of Arizona commit, is a game changer on both sides of the ball. The Chargers are full of talented receivers and have three strong offensive linemen back in Evan Walls, Nathan Ledesma and Alex Gavaghan. On defense, Charter Oak will be much improved. It has Rak Mubarek, Alex Gavaghan and Ledesma on the defensive line. The Chargers also have significant transfers in WR/DB Langston Taylor, who earned first-team all-league and All-Area honors at Glendora last season, and Brandon Garibay, a transfer from Chino who plays tight end and defensive end.

Outlook: The Chargers took it on the chin last year, finishing with a sub.-500 record and a Division 7 first-round playoff loss to Rio Hondo Prep, something they surely have not forgotten. But the Chargers have completely revamped their team, from changes to the coaching staff to the addition of big-time transfers at key positions. The QB-RB duo of Munoz and Black is going to be a fun and explosive combo to watch. Charter Oak’s defense won’t get pushed around like last season. The Mountain West League is the area’s strongest four-team league from the Mt. SAC area, and going through Ayala, Bonita and Alta Loma will be a tough chore again. But the Chargers have a shot to go from last to first, that is how much they have improved. Facing Northview and Glendora to open the season will provide a great way to assess the Chargers. Because they’re ranked so low by CalPreps to start the season, the Chargers are a playoff contender to watch if they land in Divisions 5-7. You can book it.

Coach Dominic Farrar said: “At Charter Oak, we are mindful of our football family legacy and proud storied tradition. Our coaches and players continue to embody our core values and beliefs that represent and reflect in our culture and process. We are excited at the effort and commitment our players have made this offseason at being great teammates and competing relentlessly. Our focus has been on maximizing our potential by doing as much as we can to get better each day. We believe our end goal will be a byproduct of the daily work necessary to do it.”

Top Returning Players

Offense

Zakkarii Black, RB, Sr.; Mountain West League first team

Solomon Davis, WR, Sr.; Mountain West League second team

Jayden Alexander, WR, Sr.

Nathan Alvarado, WR, Sr.

Evan Walls, OL, Sr.

Nathan Ledesma, OL, Sr.

Alex Gavaghan, OL, Sr.

Defense

Solomon Davis, DB, Sr.; Mountain West League second team

Bishop Turner, DB, Sr.

Darius Gilchrist, DB, Sr.

Jacob Hernandez, DB, Sr.

Rak Mubarek, DL, Sr.

Nathan Ledesma, DL, Sr.

Alex Gavaghan, DL, Sr.

Top Newcomers & Transfers

Richie Munoz, QB, Sr.; transfer from La Salle

Brandon Garibay, DE/TE; transfer from Chino

Langston Taylor, WR/DB; transfer from Glendora

Reggie Haynes, LB, RB, Sr.

Daniel Orosco, RB/DB, Sr.

Mekhi White, LB/TE, Sr.

LaVar Arrington Jr., All-purpose; So.

Luis Marin, K, Sr.

2022 Schedule

Aug. 25. vs. Northview at Covina District Field

Sept. 2 vs. Glendora

Sept. 9 vs. Chino Hills

Sept. 17 vs. South Hills at Covina District Field

Sept. 23 at West Covina

Sept. 30 vs. Los Altos at TBA

Oct. 7 vs. Marina

Oct. 14 at Ayala*

Oct. 21 vs. Bonita*

Oct. 27 vs. Alta Loma*

*league game

— Fred Robledo